Post Title:                   Financial Management Specialist

Organization:             ASDPII-/DMTVET/MOE

Location:                    Kabul

Duration:                   1 Year

No of Post:                 (1)

Sex:                             Male/Female

Nationality:                National

Salary:                        Attractive Salary

Date Announced       20-April-2015

Closing Date              10- May-2015

1. Background

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received a grant from the International Development Agency (IDA) and the Government of Norway for the Afghanistan Skills Development Project (ASDP). The said project aims to establish a high quality, equitable, market-responsive and cost-effective technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system in order to increase the number of immediately employable Afghan graduates.

The ASDP is a multi-functional project managed through four components, and executed by different government agencies, namely: Committee of Education and Skills Policy (CESP) chaired by the Vice President; Deputy Ministry of TVET (DMTVET) at the Ministry of Education (MoE); and National Skills Development Program (NSDP) at the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MOLSAMD).

The DMTVET implements Component # 2 of the ASDP project, which is comprised of: (a) establishment of the NIMA; (b) institution-based reform packages; and (c) management reforms in DMTVET. NIMA aims to be a model TVET institute for management and administration, accounting, and information technology.

2. Summary of the Position

The objectives of the assignment are to (a) support ASDP on financial management, accounting and disbursement functions; (b) help the ASDP develop all project documentation related to financial management, accounting and disbursement; and (c) provide such training and skills transfer to DMTVET as required to prepare and implement Standard Operational Process and Finance Management Cycle (FMC) within ASDP project. The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Project Manager.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Regularly updating of project budget and proposing re-allocations among project activities to the Project Manager, where necessary (e.g. where there are savings or where the budget is exceeded). Establish accounting and internal control procedures to ensure that the assets of the project are properly safeguarded.  These systems and control policies and procedures are documented in the Project Operational Manual which should be updated regularly when changes occur;
2. Maintain ASDP’s accounting books and records, including general ledger and subsidiary ledgers, and ensure that there is proper and adequate documentation to support all of the project’s transactions.  The Treasury Single Treasury System (Free Balance) is used for accounting, payments and financial reporting;
3. Prepare Withdrawal Applications and supporting documentation to secure funds from the IDA Grant and Credit for financing of project expenditures.  Coordinate closely with Finance and Budget Department of Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Finance (MOF) in securing authorizations and processing payments.  Payments to finance project expenditures are made through the Budget Department of MOE, and through Education Budget sector in Ministry of Finance (MOF);
4. Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditure, balances, payments, statements and other day to day transactions and reports;
5. Oversee all the financial issues of each of the Project components;
6. Ensure timely payment of all Project related expenditures;
7. Maintain the Project’s Designated Account in accordance with the Bank’s procedures;
8. Follow-up the disbursements and control the implementation of the budget by the ASDP and the Government;
9. Responsible for closing the Project financial operations every month and for accounts reconciliation including adequate documentation and filing. Provide the management with updated financial information;
10. Elaborate and update the Project’s chart of accounts;

11. Prepare withdrawal applications including Statements of Expenditures (SOEs) according to World Bank disbursement handbook;
12. Ensure safe custody of all financial records for review by Bank Missions and External Auditors;
13. Responsible for proper financial management of Project’s funds;
14. Liaison with banks maintaining the accounts of the Project;
15. Ensure that all financial management components of projects are implemented according to donor and governmental finance and expenditure management law and regulations;
16. Establish and Develop Standard Operational Process (SOP) for Finance Department and all financial transaction;
17. Assists in analysis, developing and implementation of financial fiscal plans and policies;
18. Supervises the completion of project internal control audits, and recommend actions necessary to correct internal control weaknesses. Facilitates and co-ordinates external, internal, donor or government audit;

16. Ensure the protection of the MoE assets, (cash and inventory) through the enforcement of internal control policies and procedures;

17. Maintains current knowledge of Afghanistan government requirements related to financial matters;

18. Monitor payment terms and conditions of contracts, and monitors contract commitments and contract management

19. Ensure Bank disbursements, financial management and auditing guidelines are followed;
20. Ensure safe keeping of project assets, financial documentation, records and reports for review by Bank missions and external Auditors. 
21. Any Tasks may assigned by the Project Manager or Deputy Minister;

4.      Qualifications and Experience

1. At least Bachelor Degree in Finance, Economics or similar, Master Degree would be preferred;

2. Minimum 5 years experience in financial management with International and national organizations and government of Afghanistan is an advantage.

3. Experience with World Bank financial management and accounting principles will be strongly preferred;

4. Additional commercial training in accounting or finance preferable;

5. Familiarity of contractual issues.

6. Strong process and financial management experience;

7. Proven ability to drive change throughout an organization;

8. Have a demonstrated focus on impact and results;

9. Ability to design and implement the project accounting system in line with World Bank and Government of Afghanistan requirements.

10. Fluency in English. Dari and Pashto is an advantage.

11. Excellent reporting, interpersonal and team working skills;

12. Computer skills - MS Office including Word, PowerPoint, Excel necessary, experience/knowledge of any other accounting and database packages an asset;

5. Reporting and Counterparts

a.       The FMS will work under direct supervision of Project Director and will extend support and assistance to the Deputy Ministry for TVET (counterpart staff) through his daily activities, finance officer/s and finance assistant/s will be supervised by the said individual consultant.

b.      The products prepared by the Consultant include:

• Reporting on the balance of Designated account and costs per categories;
• Financial reports, budget reports, financial projections and cash flow reports;
• Financial aspect of annual activities plan and production of budgetary plan;
• Project’s Financial plan to be sent to the World Bank for approval;
• Quarterly Financial Monitoring Reports (FMRs);
• Financial reports according to requests of the Republic of Afghanistan;
• Support to other employees of PPU in the preparation of various reports;

·        S/he will submit an inception report that should include work plan for 12 months within two weeks after joining

6. Duration of the Assignment:

The assignment will be initially for 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance at the end of the first 3-months probationary period. After 12 months, subject to a complete performance review, availability of funding; and the circumstances of the Ministry of Education prevailing at that time, an extension to the contract may be considered. 

7. Duty Station:

The duty station of this position will be ASDP Office/Deputy Ministry for TVET, Ministry of Education/ Kabul, Afghanistan.

8. Submission Guidelines:

Interested Afghan candidates are requested to send their applications and CVs via e-mail: